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Buoy’s Waterfront Bar & Grill is more than just a place to eat; it’s a destination where memories are made, where laughter flows as freely as the waters it floats on, and where every visit feels like a getaway. Join us at Buoy’s, where adventure awaits on the waves, and the promise of delicious food, refreshing drinks, live music, and breathtaking views is always fulfilled.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 6170 NW Polk City Dr, Polk City, IA 50226
Phone: (515) 416-4350
Menu Photos
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Reviews
Ashley Scarlett
Really enjoyed our experience! Trivia was wrapping up before the live music started when we arrived. Walking out to the dock restaurant was unique! Apparently there are new owners who have done quite a bit to update and improve, so some of the lower stars are completely understandable.
While they didn’t have a traditional margarita, the bar tender was incredibly knowledgeable and made a great cocktail very similar to one. The shrimp tacos were tasty, but the side of guac was just okay. My husband had the bistro burger that he enjoyed as well. The menu states it has a gluten free bun, but they did not have one available. The fries are NOT gluten free fyi, but he enjoyed the side of coleslaw.
We ate at the bar and while the service was slow they clearly just needed more hands to help. Our bartender was pleasant and great to have! Also they are dog friendly!
… moreWhile they didn’t have a traditional margarita, the bar tender was incredibly knowledgeable and made a great cocktail very similar to one. The shrimp tacos were tasty, but the side of guac was just okay. My husband had the bistro burger that he enjoyed as well. The menu states it has a gluten free bun, but they did not have one available. The fries are NOT gluten free fyi, but he enjoyed the side of coleslaw.
We ate at the bar and while the service was slow they clearly just needed more hands to help. Our bartender was pleasant and great to have! Also they are dog friendly!
Melinda
My in-laws are camping nearby and we decided to go out for dinner tonight. We checked the hours on social media because Google Maps said that they were open but that the hours may be incorrect. Facebook said they had just updated their hours on September 25th and that they were open until 11pm tonight which was not the case. When we arrived after unsuccessfully trying to book a reservation online, the dock residents who were watching the game on the TVs let us know that Buoy’s was open earlier and that they pretty much just close whenever they want if they feel like it’s slow. We crossed paths with plenty of people that were also planning on dining there. It’s a shame because if they would actually stay open, especially on a 93° “fall” day they’d probably thrive even though the reviews on their food are hit or miss. As evident by the packed camp grounds nearby, Buoy would make a killing if they could just keep consistent hours.
… moreRichPetrelliAuthor
First of all, the employee “shed” has the Buoy’s signage for the restaurant and we stopped there in a state of confusion (two other cars had stopped there also) and thought it was the restaurant. Incorrect, the restaurant is down the road by the water. Here’s an idea, take down the Buoy’s sign by the employee shed or put an arrow there to point to the real restaurant. UPDATE: the owner said there IS in fact an arrow pointing to the dock. Let’s look at the photos that are attached.
My wife had the “tenderloin sandwich” and it was horrible. It is served “dry” without any sauce whatsoever, so my wife dumped a bunch of ketchup on it to moisten the sandwich. Ketchup on tenderloin sounds like an oxymoron to me but it covered the steak sufficiently to make it barely edible at least.
Secondly I really doubt this is “tenderloin” since it looked and tasted more like Chicken Fried Steak than anything else. There is a huge difference between tenderloin and chicken fried steak. I would not order this! It was tasteless, dry and didn’t have any seasoning at all. Spare yourself “cottonmouth” and order something else.
Here’s another idea for the “chef” that made this “tenderloin sandwich “ if it can be called that, how about making a nice Au Jus and dipping that “dry as heck sandwich” into a nice flavorful sauce? It’s not hard to make, I’ll help you!!
3C water, 3 Tbsp beef stock, 1/2 tsp both garlic and onion powders, 1 tsp Worcestershire, 1 Tbsp butter (as a finish with the burner turned off) and a small amount of cornstarch slurry to thicken. Voila – from bland to delicious! Nix the fried coating on the tenderloin too, and use a higher quality steak! I’d happily pay more for a decent steak sandwich Au Jus!
Customers are not stupid, there is nothing “tenderloin” about this sandwich. We know how tenderloin looks and tastes.
We won’t be back.
I had the blackened mahi mahi. At least this was a decent sandwich. The mahi mahi helped raise my star rating by 1/2 point, but not by much overall.
Both entrees are served with a small container of potato salad. The potato salad was the highlight of the meal unfortunately.
Oh and if you’re looking for the restroom, it’s outside in the form of 3-4 porta potties. UPDATE: the owner said there are bathrooms onsite in the restaurant. That still doesn’t explain the line of 3-5 people we saw as we exited. Didn’t they know there were restrooms? Who knows.
Lastly the owner asked us to email them so they can “make it right”. Not sure what make it right means? I have no interest in emailing you, what for a free meal? Nope. Read Chance’s review where he was offered a “free round of drinks” after a bad review. My reviews are honest and factual and unbiased. If the meal is great we will say so, if not we will say so!
… moreMy wife had the “tenderloin sandwich” and it was horrible. It is served “dry” without any sauce whatsoever, so my wife dumped a bunch of ketchup on it to moisten the sandwich. Ketchup on tenderloin sounds like an oxymoron to me but it covered the steak sufficiently to make it barely edible at least.
Secondly I really doubt this is “tenderloin” since it looked and tasted more like Chicken Fried Steak than anything else. There is a huge difference between tenderloin and chicken fried steak. I would not order this! It was tasteless, dry and didn’t have any seasoning at all. Spare yourself “cottonmouth” and order something else.
Here’s another idea for the “chef” that made this “tenderloin sandwich “ if it can be called that, how about making a nice Au Jus and dipping that “dry as heck sandwich” into a nice flavorful sauce? It’s not hard to make, I’ll help you!!
3C water, 3 Tbsp beef stock, 1/2 tsp both garlic and onion powders, 1 tsp Worcestershire, 1 Tbsp butter (as a finish with the burner turned off) and a small amount of cornstarch slurry to thicken. Voila – from bland to delicious! Nix the fried coating on the tenderloin too, and use a higher quality steak! I’d happily pay more for a decent steak sandwich Au Jus!
Customers are not stupid, there is nothing “tenderloin” about this sandwich. We know how tenderloin looks and tastes.
We won’t be back.
I had the blackened mahi mahi. At least this was a decent sandwich. The mahi mahi helped raise my star rating by 1/2 point, but not by much overall.
Both entrees are served with a small container of potato salad. The potato salad was the highlight of the meal unfortunately.
Oh and if you’re looking for the restroom, it’s outside in the form of 3-4 porta potties. UPDATE: the owner said there are bathrooms onsite in the restaurant. That still doesn’t explain the line of 3-5 people we saw as we exited. Didn’t they know there were restrooms? Who knows.
Lastly the owner asked us to email them so they can “make it right”. Not sure what make it right means? I have no interest in emailing you, what for a free meal? Nope. Read Chance’s review where he was offered a “free round of drinks” after a bad review. My reviews are honest and factual and unbiased. If the meal is great we will say so, if not we will say so!
Jose Cornejo
Definitely a unique experience my kids and wife enjoyed eating in a floating restaurant. The water looks beautiful the atmosphere is outstanding great live music and the service was really great.The food was also delicious.
… moreRobbie Zmolek
A great place to sit by the water and have great food. The management and servers were extraordinary and very attentive.
I’ve seen a band there one other time. The only drawback was for the band….they need an awning type cover for shade from the sun. At least there were fans.
… moreI’ve seen a band there one other time. The only drawback was for the band….they need an awning type cover for shade from the sun. At least there were fans.
Jim Schmidt
We had a small group that sat on the patio and enjoyed drinks and dinner. The staff was fun and very busy but did a great job at staying 1 step ahead of our needs. We all had a lot of fun and enjoyed the lake life atmosphere.
Would highly recommend!
**Bike friendly! (Motorcycle/Bicycle)
… moreWould highly recommend!
**Bike friendly! (Motorcycle/Bicycle)
Kirk Magill
Love this place for a live music venue on the water. New owners have breathed life back into this place. The food is also very good!We are looking forward to the nice weather! This is also spot we like to bring our out of town guest! Make sure to check it out!
… moreDallas Brooks
Absolutely wonderful dining experience on the water. The weather was perfect.
… moreMatte Kwadbash
Great new owner, walking taco is huge, good people, good food, great place to hang out at Des Moines premier lake (Reservoir). Gotta love Iowa!
… moreJohn Mason-Smith
We were camping nearby and drove over to check out a Buoy’s on a warm Sunday afternoon. What an awesome setup with lots of families in bathing suits on the floating deck. We split an order of chicken nachos and had a cocktail. The food was good and the servers friendly. Would recommend this place to others
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